The name of the BNP’s candidate for the presidency will be officially announced on Thursday, August 13, when the party submits its nomination papers, Chief Whip of the National Parliament Nurul Islam Moni has said.

With the BNP holding a majority in parliament, its nominee is widely expected to become the country’s next president. As a result, Thursday’s announcement is likely to provide a clear indication of who will occupy Bangabhaban.

The Chief Whip made the remarks on Tuesday, August 11, after a meeting between the acting Speaker and the Election Commission secretary regarding preparations for the presidential election.

He said BNP’s candidate would be selected by party chair and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The candidate’s name will be formally disclosed when the nomination papers are submitted on Thursday.

BNP MPs Expected to Support Party Nominee
Regarding voting by members of parliament, Moni said Article 70 of the Constitution prevents MPs from voting against their party’s decision. Therefore, BNP lawmakers are expected to support the party’s nominee.

He also said there would be no need to convene a special parliamentary session for the election. The Election Commission will complete the necessary meetings and formal procedures for conducting the vote.

Several Names in Discussion
Several senior BNP leaders have emerged as potential candidates, although the party has yet to officially announce a name.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is reportedly among the most discussed candidates. Other names being mentioned include Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy.

National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and BNP Vice Chairman and former Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury have also been mentioned as possible candidates.

However, the final decision will be made by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman, the Chief Whip said.

11-Party Alliance Also Announces Candidate
Meanwhile, the 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has also announced its intention to field a presidential candidate. The alliance has said it will nominate Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed for the presidency.

However, given the BNP’s parliamentary majority, the BNP-backed candidate remains the frontrunner in the presidential election.

Voting Scheduled for August 20
According to the Election Commission’s schedule, August 13 is the deadline for submitting presidential nomination papers. After the scrutiny and withdrawal processes are completed, voting is scheduled to take place on August 20 in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Only members of parliament will vote in the presidential election. Given the BNP’s parliamentary majority, its nominated candidate is considered the most likely to be elected as Bangladesh’s next president.